DP/USB-C/Thunderbolt to HDMI 2.1 4k@120hz RGB4:4:4 10b HDR with Apple Silicon M1-M4 now possible !

[RdWing]

I am still unable to able to have hi-dpi on a AW3821DW, that should be 3840x1600 @ 120 Hz, 10bpc RGB HiDPI, which worked on an Intel 2019 16" but just seems possible on a M4 Max.

 

[JeffCoon]

When u flash the firmware attached in the OP u have to disable EDID override.

Another thing u have to be aware is this, with this workaround:

View attachment 2463913

I am totally confused by now. Do I need Better Display Pro and do I have to delete or select something in the Edid window of Better Display? Because reading the OP i have nothing to do after flashing the firmwire and my demo of Better Display has unfortunately already expired and so I can't test whether it makes a difference

 

[LincolnsiPod]

For anybody scouring this thread for clues (as I was doing a few days ago), I just received my MBP 16" M4 Max, connected to an LG C4 via a Cable Matters 201310 adapter (the one with HDMI, Ethernet, 2 USB-A and and power pass-through) and a Cable Matters 48Gpbs 2.1 HDMI cable (2m). Mac OS Sequoia 15.2.

Interesting, it never occurred to me to use the multi-port adapter, that might be why I only get HiDPI up to 3008x1692 since I'm only using the simple USB-C to HDMI adapter.

How do you specifically connect the USB dongle to control audio? I'm currently using EqMac to control volume on the LG C2.

 

[LincolnsiPod]

BTW, interesting update, Cable Matters is now offering a MacOS specific adapter on Amazon now, apparently this comes with the custom firmware preinstalled so you don't have to jump through hoops to install it yourself:

https://a.co/d/biZgk98

This is the only particular adapter I've seen so far with this option.

 

[themcfly]

Interesting, it never occurred to me to use the multi-port adapter, that might be why I only get HiDPI up to 3008x1692 since I'm only using the simple USB-C to HDMI adapter.

How do you specifically connect the USB dongle to control audio? I'm currently using EqMac to control volume on the LG C2.

It's basically a USB audio device like this one:

SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

www.amazon.com

It's plug and play and just shows up in the audio outputs in Mac OS:

I did this just because I frequently switch boot drive or even systems and frequently do clean installs, so I don't want to deal with software not being updated for newest OS or having to install it in every boot drive. With this 201310 setup I basically plug one cable and get 4K 120 video out with brightnesse control, audio out to my 2.1 system with volume control, and charge at the same time. The USB audio device becomes the default when you plug in, it's super cheap and has lasted me at least 8 years (of course if you're an audiophile maybe pick up a better quality USB sound card, but in my case the speakers are already the bottleneck 😃). No software needed, everything works out of the box.

 

[awer25]

BTW, interesting update, Cable Matters is now offering a MacOS specific adapter on Amazon now, apparently this comes with the custom firmware preinstalled so you don't have to jump through hoops to install it yourself:

https://a.co/d/biZgk98

View attachment 2464867

This is the only particular adapter I've seen so far with this option.

I just bought this as well as their 16K DP 2.1 adapter to see if it’ll help with the 57” G9. I have an M1 Ultra Studio so I’m rather limited. Hope to report positive results soon.

FWIW, the 49” G9 works fine at native resolution and 120hz using the original fixes.

 

[psyguy]

It's basically a USB audio device like this one:

SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

SABRENT USB External Stereo Sound Adapter for Windows and Mac. Plug and Play No Drivers Needed. (AU-MMSA)

www.amazon.com

It's plug and play and just shows up in the audio outputs in Mac OS:

View attachment 2465070

I did this just because I frequently switch boot drive or even systems and frequently do clean installs, so I don't want to deal with software not being updated for newest OS or having to install it in every boot drive. With this 201310 setup I basically plug one cable and get 4K 120 video out with brightnesse control, audio out to my 2.1 system with volume control, and charge at the same time. The USB audio device becomes the default when you plug in, it's super cheap and has lasted me at least 8 years (of course if you're an audiophile maybe pick up a better quality USB sound card, but in my case the speakers are already the bottleneck 😃). No software needed, everything works out of the box.

Can you clarify whether the audio being controlled is coming from speakers connected to the sound card or whether it wil control the display's speakers in the absence of a connection?

---

Edit: Disregard. If you want no frills audio controll for your LG C tv, just download and install eqMac for free. Set your TV volume to your preferred maximum (mine is 45) and that's it.

You'll get a virtual audio device of the TV that you can control the audio of without worrying about CEC or DDC. If you want genuine audio device control, you'll need a USB CEC HDMI adapter.

 

[Zorast]

BTW, interesting update, Cable Matters is now offering a MacOS specific adapter on Amazon now, apparently this comes with the custom firmware preinstalled so you don't have to jump through hoops to install it yourself:

https://a.co/d/biZgk98

View attachment 2464867

This is the only particular adapter I've seen so far with this option.

This is really nice so there will be another Modell Number i think.

But this will not change anything with the macOS 15 workaround. This is only possible with BetterDisplay

 

[Zorast]

I am still unable to able to have hi-dpi on a AW3821DW, that should be 3840x1600 @ 120 Hz, 10bpc RGB HiDPI, which worked on an Intel 2019 16" but just seems possible on a M4 Max.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/dp-usb-c-thunderbolt-to-hdmi-2-1-4k-120hz-rgb4-4-4-10b-hdr-with-apple-silicon-m1-m4-now-possible.2381664/page-66?post=33523352#post-33523352

 

[rds]

Has the custom firmware changed at all since it was first released? I don't currently have a compatible device to check the firmware version.

 

[alaskatroll]

So, just to clarify, for 4k 120Hz HiDPI with HDR on m1 / m2, the only option is to stay on macOS 13.4 - 14.0, using cable matters firmware, and betterdisplay is not needed? And if newer macOS is required, 4k 120 HiDPI can still be used with betterdisplay + other workarounds, but HDR is off the table?

 

[salvere]

I'm using the VMM7100 and LG OLED TV with the M1 Pro on 15.2. The default output is 120Hz 8-bit RGB, but the Better Display can set the output to 10-bit RGB. Is there any way to make the Mac output 10-bit by default?

 

[Zorast]

So, just to clarify, for 4k 120Hz HiDPI with HDR on m1 / m2, the only option is to stay on macOS 13.4 - 14.0, using cable matters firmware, and betterdisplay is not needed? And if newer macOS is required, 4k 120 HiDPI can still be used with betterdisplay + other workarounds, but HDR is off the table?

yes, HDR works only without HiDPI when using 4k@120hz since macOS 14.1

 

[Zorast]

I'm using the VMM7100 and LG OLED TV with the M1 Pro on 15.2. The default output is 120Hz 8-bit RGB, but the Better Display can set the output to 10-bit RGB. Is there any way to make the Mac output 10-bit by default?

Use config protection in BetterDsiplay

 

[Zorast]

Any news about 15.2 ?

 

[desiguy79]

I just bought this as well as their 16K DP 2.1 adapter to see if it’ll help with the 57” G9. I have an M1 Ultra Studio so I’m rather limited. Hope to report positive results soon.

FWIW, the 49” G9 works fine at native resolution and 120hz using the original fixes.

any update? I have 57" g9 too and I am thinking about ordering Mac mini m4 pro
thank you

 

[soerenssen]

I have the following connections from a Macbook Pro M3 Pro (MacOS Sequoia 15.2) to a Samsung G9 Neo 57 (latest v1007 firmware):
- USB-C on the Macbook -> Cable Matters 201310-BLK Hub (flashed on a Windows PC using the official firmware update tool from CM) -> HDMI 1 on the G9
- HDMI on the Macbook -> HDMI 2 on the G9

For some reason, I can get 120Hz (SDR) only on one of the connections, always on the one that I connect earlier. The second connection always defaults to 60Hz. Holding down option to show hidden resolutions in BetterDisplay pro shows only 75Hz as the maximum available. I tried to play around with color modes and configuration protection, nothing helped so far.

Since HDMI-HDMI works fine as long as it's the only connection to the monitor, I cannot justify buying a second USB-C to HDMI adapter, but if the root cause is the dual HDMI connection, I guess USB-C to DP 1.4 for the second connection could solve it. What am I doing wrong here?

If I understood correctly, EDID override doesn't have to be disabled, since this is a VMM7110 adapter.

Screenshots from BetterDisplay:

 

[so_it_goes]

n/a

 

[unphased]

I am still unable to able to have hi-dpi on a AW3821DW, that should be 3840x1600 @ 120 Hz, 10bpc RGB HiDPI, which worked on an Intel 2019 16" but just seems possible on a M4 Max.

I have a base model M4 Mac Mini and have to assume the M4 Max is at least as capable as this. And my mini drives 4K 240Hz on 10bpc RGB HiDPI 3008 resolution with HDMI 2.1 like a champ. That's a much higher bandwidth than what you're trying to get. So I have to assume it is possible.

 

[RdWing]

What is 3008? Definitely cannot do 3840x1600 HiDPI with M4 Max, no matter 8 bit, 422, or anything.

 

[soerenssen]

I have the following connections from a Macbook Pro M3 Pro (MacOS Sequoia 15.2) to a Samsung G9 Neo 57 (latest v1007 firmware):
- USB-C on the Macbook -> Cable Matters 201310-BLK Hub (flashed on a Windows PC using the official firmware update tool from CM) -> HDMI 1 on the G9
- HDMI on the Macbook -> HDMI 2 on the G9

For some reason, I can get 120Hz (SDR) only on one of the connections, always on the one that I connect earlier. The second connection always defaults to 60Hz. Holding down option to show hidden resolutions in BetterDisplay pro shows only 75Hz as the maximum available. I tried to play around with color modes and configuration protection, nothing helped so far.

Since HDMI-HDMI works fine as long as it's the only connection to the monitor, I cannot justify buying a second USB-C to HDMI adapter, but if the root cause is the dual HDMI connection, I guess USB-C to DP 1.4 for the second connection could solve it. What am I doing wrong here?

If I understood correctly, EDID override doesn't have to be disabled, since this is a VMM7110 adapter.

Screenshots from BetterDisplay:

View attachment 2469373 View attachment 2469376View attachment 2469375View attachment 2469374

I found the root cause in the meantime. Turns out that the HDMI 1 (120 Hz) input of the G9 Neo will give me 60Hz, doesn't matter which cable or adapter or cable/adapter combo I use. Using HDMI 2 and 3 for now, both of them can run at 120Hz, at the same time. I switched to a Maxonar USB-C to DP 1.4 cable in the meantime, so I have cables running only on the left side of the Macbook for better cable management, but HDMI out to HDMI in (2 or 3) was working fine too.

 

[CaptainPlanet0304]

I just want to say, thanks to everyone involved in the hard work figuring this process out. Once I got the Microsoft App Store working in windows 11 arm under parallels, the process was straightforward. I have the Anker VM7100 adapter, out of the box it was running firmware 7.01.103; purchased yesterday 10/17/23 from Amazon US. I am also using a 6ft Amazon Basics HDMI 2.1 8K cable. I am using a LG C3 55" and a Mac Studio M1 Max 64gb.

Looks like I am able to use HDR and 120Hz, no issues so far.

Here's the VRR Info from the monitor:

Hello all, I just flashed the custom firmware onto a VMM7100 Chinese Adapter - Usb C to HDMI. It stopped outputting display altogether. Can I ask for this firmware 7.01.103 - if you still have it please?

Still recognises VMM7100. But just no display - tried flashing in virtual environment and windows. Didn't help.

 

[Zorast]

Reference my feedback on apple does show now about 10 same reports! Keep going @ all, 10 is almost way to less!

 

[alaskatroll]

Gah... I finally tracked down a copy of Sonoma 14.0 installer, successfully got my M1 air to 14.0, then took a time machine backup to migrate to new-to-me M1 pro 16". MacOS corners me into installing from a booted installer usb, but when doing so from such a disk made from the 14.0 installer, you still end up on 14.7! 🤬 Automatic updates during the install, that can't be disabled from what I can tell. So now I'm downloading Ventura, and hoping after a fresh Ventura install I can launch the Sonoma 14.0 installer from within booted Ventura, to put me at exactly 14.0, then restore from the 14.0 time machine backup.

FFS, just trying to use the product to its fullest capability! Luckily this cable matters firmware is paving the way for that, the least Apple could do is let us opt out of the OS updates that break their hardware's ability to do what it was built to do... They really need to allow a little more granular control, hide it behind a developer mode of some sort if they must...

EDIT: Sheesh, another word of warning for anyone trying to downgrade MacOS - I tried to grab Ventura from App Store, it downloaded the whole ~12GB file in my system prefs app, then gave me a "couldn't verify" error and seemingly deleted the download. So I downloaded from my browser via the mrmacintosh.com direct links to Apple's download servers, ran the .pkg and alas I have the installer in Applications. Time and bandwidth down the drain. I'd pay for a power-user-friendly MacOS professional...

 

[awer25]

any update? I have 57" g9 too and I am thinking about ordering Mac mini m4 pro
thank you

It works - 7680x2160@120Hz on an M1 Ultra! I tried every combination I could think of with adapters and firmware from OP, HDMI 2.1 and DP 2.1 cables (inc. certified cables), and Switchres and BetterDisplay software. Best I could get was to use both an HDMI and DP input with the monitor in PnP mode so it’s like two 27” screens. For HDMI, I'm using the Anker 518 HDMI adapter with flashed firmware, and for DP it's just this USB-C to DP cable from Stouchi, both going through an iVanky Fusiondock Max 1.

With the right MacOS settings there’s no bar in the middle and I can use the whole screen as one big display, except one side is the "main" display and has the menu bar and task bar. Both sides can do 120hz and 10-bit color (HDR is off). Also the color profiles weren’t an exact match on each side but a Reddit post had a calibrated profile that I used for both sides and now it really works well. Once the next Mac Studio comes out I’ll get that and hopefully be able to use a single output.

For what its worth, I use the native 7680x2160 resolution and it looks great as an office monitor.